8 fictional secretaries who deserved to be the boss
Just like at any office, the secretary plays a major part in a lot of our favorite TV shows. Some of them are diligent and hard working, while others lack several major skills. We all know (or knew) people at our workplace who emulate both types of characters.
Out of these eight administrative assistants, there are plenty we can learn from, but there are others we probably shouldn't emulate at the office. (Mrs. Wiggins, anyone?)
We're taking a look at the most memorable secretaries in TV and film.
Miss Jane, The Beverly Hillbillies
Jane Hathaway is the loyal and efficient secretarial assistant every boss wants, but few are lucky to get. Although she can butt heads with the family from time to time, she has their best interest at heart. Jane is such a great secretary, TV Guide ranked her as one of the 50 best TV characters of all time in 1999.
Carol Kester, The Bob Newhart Show
Kester is the ultimate receptionist, from her retro outfits and wild hair to her energetic personality. She's the perfect contrast to Newhart's straight-laced character. Marcia Wallace showed the character's versatility by bringing her to Murphy Brown, where the spot was nominated for an Emmy.
Mrs. Wiggins, The Carol Burnett Show
Mr. Tudball and Mrs. Wiggins (pronounced "Hwiggins") are a match made in sketch comedy heaven. If Mrs. Wiggins was a real secretary, you can bet money she'd be fired on the first day. But on The Carol Burnett Show, the character's spacey personality and lack of skills were perfect for the job.
Jennifer Malone, WKRP in Cincinnati
As a receptionist, Malone isn't just the office "eye candy." She's smart, savvy and knows exactly what her job entails. That means you shouldn't ask her to make a cup of coffee. Oh, and did we mention she's the highest-paid employee at the station?
Image: 20th Television
Grace, Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Edie McClug's commitment to the character is just as strong as Grace's commitment to her job as secretary at Ferris Bueller's high school. McClug once told Vanity Fair about her character's hairstyle, "Grace felt she looked best in the '60s and kept her look from that era."
Image: Paramount Pictures
Doralee Rhodes, 9 to 5
You think she would deserve a fat promotion for all her service and devotion. Instead, Rhodes' boss ogles at her all day long, while her coworkers think she's having an affair with him. But through it all, Rhodes remains as tough as nails, at one point threatening to "turn him from a rooster to a hen with one shot." If that wasn't great enough, Dolly Parton's titular song is still stuck in our heads 35 years later.
Image: 20th Century Fox
Myrna Turner, The Odd Couple
Before Penny Marshall was capping bottles as Laverne DeFazio on Laverne & Shirley, she was Oscar's secretary on The Odd Couple. Her easygoing attitude made her the perfect match to Oscar's personality.
Susie McNamara, Private Secretary
One of TV's first secretaries remains one of the best. Throughout the 1950s, Ann Sothern drew huge ratings as Susie McNamara in Private Secretary, the devoted secretary to an attractive talent agent.
Image: Jack Chertok Television Productions
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